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This is our New Year’s issue, which means it’s a time to look at those resolutions you made seven months ago. To be honest, New Year’s resolutions never made much sense to me because many are all about giving things up. During the most depressing month of the year, instead of indulging in the things that make us happy, we ban the good things — for example, wine or the Internet, for you brave souls — instead of trying to add more quality goals to the list. I suggest that instead of banning the Internet, use it to connect with more customers or find new unique products to add to your shelves. It’s all about a shift in perspective, and that can happen at any time during the year, not just on Jan. 1. So whether you “resolved” anything months ago or not, now is » Read more

Spotlight On: Carrollton, Texas Where extraordinary balloons are done every day of the week In 1997, David Mahoney was blessed with two special gifts: the birth of his son and the birth of his business. The two were directly related. Because Mahoney “wanted to build a life that would not only provide for his family, but also allow him the ability to be involved in his son’s life every day and be around him while he was growing up,” Balloons Everyday was born. In the beginning, it was a one-man start-up in the family garage. The rest is history. The Name Game “Balloons Everyday was chosen because we believe that every day is a great day for balloons,” said Mahoney, owner and head designer. “There is not a single day in a year when someone is not having a birthday. » Read more

Out with the old and in with the new The New Year is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year up ahead, so what better time to take a look at the best-selling New Year’s Eve products of 2014 and what to expect in 2015? Classic Colors With New Year’s products in general — everything from décor to ensembles and balloons — some of the classic color combinations of the past few years will remain consistently popular, such as the pairing of black, silver and gold. Dawn Kirschner of Unique said they speak to the glamour of the night and are often paired with colors like red, purple, pink and teal. “Unique’s Fireworks New Year design features black and gold with brightly colored fireworks that allow the consumer to mix and match with a wide variety » Read more

Some birthday décor sells no matter the age range Much like money, shelf space doesn’t grow on trees. Most of you know that—and most of you know that selection is key. When it comes to birthday décor and partyware, storeowners are forced to pick from hundreds of options. How do you decide? You listen. Customers are constantly asking for birthday décor and partyware that can appeal to people of all ages. With a little merchandising, it’s an easy sell, but it’s your job is to figure out which one of those themes will appeal most to your market. Practice makes perfect. Must-Have Merchandise Disney’s “Frozen” is dominating the little girl birthday world, superheroes are taking the male party scene by storm and black and gold partyware continues to be the dominating choice for the older generations. But what designs can conquer it all? » Read more

Linda C. Kiss LearnBalloonDecorating.com and Affairs in the Air Tampa, Florida Linda Kiss has been creating balloon décor for events for 33 years and has been teaching people how to get into the decorating business for 12 years. Her experience has taken her into storefronts, warehouse offices and a home-base location, doing everything from deliveries in costume to corporate work. 1. What is the best retail advice you’ve received? One of my good friends, Linda Bruce, once said to me, “The client really does not know what they want. They see a few pictures and they think they do, but it is up to us to show them the world of possibly that are really out there for them with our pictures.” I have always taken that to heart and now have more than 5,000 pictures in my Ideas Book. 2. What are your » Read more